Yindjibarndi elder Maudie Jerrold selected as Colours of Our Country exhibition’s signature artist

A Yindjibarndi elder has been named this year’s signature artist at the 17th annual Colours of our Country exhibition in Perth.

Maudie Jerrold is one of 52 artists with work at the exhibit and her piece Country Bluebells has been selected as the signature piece of the collection.

Maudie’s art relates to the landscapes of the Yindjibarndi and Ngarluma Country of the Pilbara, paying specific attention to the flora of the area and often depicting plants or flowers that have medicinal or ceremonial purpose.

Her colourful and intricately patterned work communicates elements of the Yindjibarndi Country.

“The country bluebell is one of the common flowers growing on the edges of the riverbank and around the edge of hillsides. It also grows in open plains country,” she said.

Now in its 17th year, the Colours of our Country exhibition features more than 200 works available for purchase from 52 artists, including artists from the Yinjaa-Barni Art Centre, Wangaba Roebourne Art Group, Cheeditha Art Group and Juluwarlu Art Group.

The exhibition will be held at the Central Park building in Perth until October 21.

The event is hosted by Rio Tinto, has sold more than 2700 artworks and generated $2.9 million for participating local Aboriginal artists, their art centres and communities since its launch in 2006.

Rio Tinto iron ore chief executive Simon Trott said through the partnerships with traditional owners in the Pilbara, Rio has an opportunity to help share the vibrant cultural heritage of this ancient land with the broader community.

“The Colours of our Country exhibition is the perfect opportunity for us all to contemplate and reflect on the tens of thousands of years of history that has been brought to life by these amazing artists,” he said.

“Western Australians can not only learn about the Pilbara’s rich Aboriginal culture through these magnificent works but also purchase artwork and support Pilbara artists and their communities.”